Comval holds 2nd free legal aid services day

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE - A total of 154 clients from the entire province of Compostela Valley availed of the free legal aid services by the group of lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley Chapter during the conduct of the 2nd Provincial Free Legal Aid Services Day on March 5, 2018 at the 4th Floor, Social Hall provincial Capitol, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

The free consultation activity is in line with the celebration of the “11th Bulawan Festival and 20th Founding Anniversary” of the province from March 4-8, 2018 with the theme: “Comval @ 20 Growing Green for Good Governance.”

There were a total of 23 volunteer lawyers from the IBP including District – I Board Member Atty. Marie Jude Fuentes-Lopoz, project coordinator of the activity, together with the three local civil registrar from the municipality of Mawab, Nabunturan, and Monkayo who participated in the one-day activity.

According to Lopoz, “the 154 clients have been entertained with their concerns on birth errors, late registrations, criminal cases, cases to be filed for marital abuses, annulment, or violence against women and children (VAWC) without monetary charges.”

Lopoz added that the program is to provide free and sufficient legal service to Comvalenyos. The clients also availed of free lunch and snacks provided during the event.

“Libre gyud sila sa pagkaon kay lain pud kaayo nga Bulawan Festival tapos ang mga lawyers lang ang nag kaon-kaon. We're supposed to celebrate the festival and they are not celebrating. When they go home, they go home happy, busog pa sila, dala pa gyud nila ang mga affidavits,” Lopoz said.

“This is for them to avail the legal service especially to those who live as far as Maragusan, Pantukan and Laak municipalities. Instead of going to Tagum City or in Davao City, lawyers were brought to Capitol, saving Comvalenyos’ time, effort, and money,” Lopoz added.